FILM: Guardians of the Galaxy, vol 2 – a super fun popcorn flick

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Vol 2 ***1/2

If you’re looking for a super fun popcorn flick, this is it! Those crazy space characters from Marvel comics are back again to amuse us while saving the Galaxy one more time, in this instant cult film. There’s of course the main man, Peter Quill, alias Star Lord, leading his loony band of heroes, one sillier and more lovable than the next: There’s mean-looking, laughing Drax, the hulk of the gang; there’s the green, tough/sexy girl warrior, Gamora; there’s the smart-aleck raccoon, Rocket; and then there’s the cutest, adorable Baby Groot, a sort of branch or tiny tree, who’ll have you dancing with him to the great compilation of Awesome Mixtape #2.

Trust me, you don’t want to miss this motley crew, especially with fresh-faced charmer Chris Pratt (“Jurassic World”, “Passengers”) playing Star Lord with more humor than a barrel of monkeys. But it’s really James Gunn’s hilarious dialogue and direction that brings all the action and nostalgia together. For it’s the constant fun banter between these stalwart buddies that makes this a standout blockbuster, plus the incredible mix of 60s and 70s music. And then he adds on stars like Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone, and the voices of Bradley Cooper (as Rocket) and Vin Diesel (as Baby Groot!) to add more pizzazz.

Even if you’re not a fan of futuristic action flicks, it’s the personalities that will have you chuckling all the way home. And you don’t want to miss the scene with Rocket, Baby Groot, and the button! Trust me.

Stay for the final credits for added fun and info. Yesss, they will be back!

DENIAL (Le Procès du Siècle) **1/2

Rachel Weisz seems to choose her roles carefully, often according to her deep beliefs, as in films such as “The Constant Gardner” or “Whistleblower”. This true story is especially close to her heart, as she is Jewish herself, and it concerns an epic trial about the denial of the Holocaust.

Here she plays Deborah Lipstadt, the American historian, writer and professor who was sued by David Irving, an English historian who denied the importance of the Holocaust.

This is their late 1990s face-to-face battle in the English courts, with Lipstadt backed by a crew of top attorneys versus Irving, who decides to plead for himself.

Tom Wilkinson as her main lawyer is as always excellent, as is Timothy Spall who plays Irving. Directed by Mick Jackson (“The Bodyguard”), this is a sober look at a sensitive subject.

Here she plays Deborah Lipstadt, the American historian, writer and professor who was sued by David Irving, an English historian who denied the importance of the Holocaust.

DJANGO **1/2 (vo French)

One of the world’s most famous jazz guitarist; the rarely-documented rounding up and persecution of gypsies during WWII; a complicated love story; and the oft-told debauchery of the Nazi hierarchy during their occupation of France.

It’s all here, filmed in lush tones by director Etienne Comar (producer of such films as “Of Gods and Men”, “Timbuktu” and “Haute Cuisine”). Especially memorable are Django’s musical sequences in concert halls and with his Roma compatriots. But somehow the melodramatic scenario does not do justice to its subject – Django Reinhardt, the talented, enigmatic gypsy musician of the 1930s and 40s. The film concentrates mainly on his attempt to escape to Switzerland with his family, rather than perform in Nazi Germany. The talented French/Algerian actor Reda Kateb gives Django the nuances that are lacking in the film’s intent. Go for his performance, the music (played by the Rosenberg Trio), and the homage to the unfortunate Roma people, highlighted in Django’s very moving Requiem for Gypsy Brothers.

Superb **** Very Good *** Good ** Mediocre * Miserable – no stars

By Neptune

Neptune Ravar Ingwersen reviews film extensively for publications in Switzerland. She views 4 to 8 films a week and her aim is to sort the wheat from the chaff for readers.